The 10 Most Eco-Friendly Cities in the World

Photo Credit: wikipedia.org

By Dilara Hafiz

Going green is going mainstream as environmentally conscious people all over the world transform their lifestyles. Reuse, reduce and recycle is the mantra on people’s lips and minds – it’s only a matter of time before this green revolution impacts your city.


Although you may not see rolling grass and wooded forests around you, your city can still rank high in eco-friendly issues that matter!

1. Reykjavik, Iceland

Iceland’s capital uses hydrogen-fueled buses and renewable energy provided by geothermal and hydropower sources. In addition, Reykjavik plans to be fossil-fuel free by 2050!

Photo Credit: wikipedia.org

Photo Credit: wikipedia.org


2. Portland, Oregon

The first U.S. city to enact a plan to reduce CO2 emissions. It has 92,000 acres of green space, truly a ’green city’ in all senses of the word.

Photo Credit: seanogle.com


3. Curitiba, Brazil

Boasts one of the best bus systems in the world, enabling residents to save on energy by using public transportation. Parks are kept tidy by grass eating sheep roaming around the city!


4.Malmo, Sweden

Renowned for its extensive green spaces and parks, Malmo’s new construction and renovations utilize innovative designs that employ green methods of building and design for maximum eco-impact.

Photo Credit: spfaust.wordpress.com

Photo Credit: spfaust.wordpress.com


5. Vancouver, Canada

Draws 90% of its power from natural sources and is the world’s largest user of hydroelectric power.

Photo Credit: wikipedia.org

Photo Credit: wikipedia.org


6. Copenhagen, Denmark

It has won awards for cleaning up its waterways. It also has one of the highest concentrations of cyclists in an urban environment.

Photo Credit: squarespace.com

Photo Credit: squarespace.com


7. London, England

Under London’s Climate Action Plan, the city will switch 25% of its power to locally generated, more-efficient sources, cut CO2 emissions by 60% within the next 20 years, and offer incentives to residents who improve the energy efficiency of their homes. Plus the ubiquitous ‘Boris Bikes’ are hip and trendy means to peddle around the city without incurring the dreaded congestion tax!

Photo Credit: cloudfront.net

Photo Credit: cloudfront.net


8. San Francisco, USA

Nearly 20% of the city is devoted to parks and green spaces. Also, more than half of all residents bike, walk or take public transportation to work every day…at least the skies are smog-free if not fog-free.

Photo Credit: wikipedia.org

Photo Credit: wikipedia.org


9. Bahia de Caraquez, Ecuador

When natural disasters devastated the city in the late 1990s, the government instituted a plan to rebuild the city in a more sustainable way. The city is marketing itself as a destination for eco-tourists.


10. Sydney, Australia

The vibrant city employs many green initiatives, including innovative food-waste management and raised awareness of global warming. Australia also was the first country to reduce usage of inefficient, energy hogging light bulbs.

Photo Credit: hotelroomsearch.net

Photo Credit: hotelroomsearch.net

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